NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Third Person's Point of View
Date: March 11, 2013
Location: Lelouch's Personal Royal Special G-1 Base
Time left in training: 5 Months, 1 week and 0 days
The atmosphere inside Lelouch's Personal Royal Special G-1 Base was a mix of anticipation and emotion. Lelouch and his group—Kallen, Naomi, Ayame, Ichijiku, Mutsuki, and Kagari—were leading Marrybell and Guinevere down the hallway toward Nunnally's room. The two older sisters had come to see Nunnally for the first time since their heartfelt reunion with Lelouch.
Lelouch walked ahead, his thoughts swirling. His mind was full of questions, emotions rising to the surface after seeing his older sisters again, particularly the way they had run to him with the weight of regret and love. But this wasn't about him. Right now, it was about Nunnally—the sister he had sworn to protect.
As they reached Nunnally's door, Lelouch took a deep breath before gently opening it. The room was peaceful, bathed in soft natural light streaming through the windows. In the corner, Nunnally sat at her desk, her Military Grade Panasonic Toughbook in front of her, connected to a 32" Sony KDL-32BX420 flat screen TV. The screen displayed a cheerful video call with Milly and some of her friends from Ashford Academy, the Logitech MK235 wireless keyboard and mouse resting comfortably by her hands.
"Looks like she's already done with her schoolwork," Lelouch said softly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he observed his sister finishing up her conversation.
"I didn't expect her to be so focused," Kallen whispered from behind him, her own expression softening at the sight of Nunnally.
Lelouch waited a moment, letting Nunnally finish her call. She hit a key on her keyboard, sending her work over to Ashford Academy to be graded, and smiled warmly at her friends on the screen. "Milly, I just sent the last assignment. I'm sure it'll come back graded soon."
Milly's voice came through the speakers with its usual cheer. "Great work, Nunnally! You're always so ahead of schedule! You'll get perfect marks, I'm sure."
Nunnally laughed softly, her voice filled with warmth. "I hope so. It's nice to feel like I'm part of the school again, even from here."
Lelouch felt a tightness in his chest as he listened. Nunnally had been so isolated, yet her resolve to stay connected to the world had never wavered. It was her resilience that always inspired him. And now, it was time for her to meet Marrybell and Guinevere.
Lelouch cleared his throat, causing Nunnally to turn her head. Her expression brightened as she saw him standing there, but then her eyes drifted past him, and her breath caught when she noticed the two figures standing just behind her brother.
"Lelouch…" Nunnally's voice trembled slightly, her hand instinctively moving toward her wheelchair's controls. "Are those…?"
Lelouch stepped inside, his tone gentle and filled with warmth. "Yes, Nunnally. Marrybell and Guinevere have come to see you."
Nunnally's eyes welled with tears, her smile widening with joy as Marrybell rushed forward. "Nunnally!" Marrybell called out, her own voice trembling with emotion as she knelt beside her sister's chair, wrapping her arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry, Nunnally… I'm so sorry for everything."
Nunnally leaned into Marrybell's embrace, tears streaming down her face. "Marry…I missed you."
Guinevere, standing just behind them, took a step closer, her normally composed demeanor cracking with emotion. "Nunnally, we've thought about you every day," Guinevere said softly, her eyes glistening. "And we're here now. To make things right."
Nunnally looked up at Guinevere, her tears flowing freely as she extended her hand to her older sister. "I missed you both so much. I thought… I thought you had forgotten about me…"
Guinevere knelt down beside Marrybell and took Nunnally's hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "Never, Nunnally. We could never forget about you."
Lelouch watched silently from the doorway, his heart swelling with a mixture of relief and sorrow. He had always carried the burden of protecting Nunnally, but seeing her now, surrounded by their sisters, made him realize just how much they had all missed—how fractured their family had been, and how much healing was still needed.
Kallen stepped beside Lelouch, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "She's happy, Lelouch. This is what she needs."
Lelouch nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "I know. I just… I never expected this."
Naomi, standing on the other side, spoke softly. "You've all been through so much, but this is a start. A chance for all of you to rebuild."
Inside the room, the sisters stayed close to Nunnally, their words soft and full of love. They spoke of memories—both painful and joyful—of how much they regretted the way things had been before, and how determined they were to be there for Nunnally now.
"I want to see Nunnally happy," Marrybell said with fierce determination. "And I want us to be a real family again."
Nunnally smiled, wiping her tears. "We will be. We're here now. Together."
Lelouch stepped further into the room, finally joining the emotional reunion. He stood behind Nunnally's wheelchair, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "We've all missed so much… but we have a chance to change that now. We can be together."
For the first time in what felt like years, Lelouch felt a sense of peace settle over him. His family—fractured and broken by betrayal, war, and politics—was slowly beginning to heal. There was still much to be done, but for now, in this moment, they were together.
Location: Boot Camp, Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California
Date: Monday, March 18, 2013 (1 week later/ Time left in training: 5 Months, 0 weeks, 0 days)
The simulated battlefield was alive with chaos, as helicopters roared through the skies, and explosions rocked the ground below. Lelouch, Kallen, Naomi, Ayame, Ichijiku, Mutsuki, Kagari, and the other recruits were now deep into their training exercise, testing all forms of helicopter warfare using VR. Each recruit had been assigned their roles in a massive operation set in an active warzone modeled after the ongoing conflict against the forces of the Middle Eastern Federation (M.E.F.).
In the cockpit of his Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian, Lelouch felt the familiar hum of the powerful war machine vibrating through him. The VR simulation was incredibly realistic, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. His helicopter, armed with a 30mm M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds of M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP), two AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, 38 AGR-20 APKWS guided rockets, and 8 AGM-114K Hellfire II air-to-surface missiles, was a true force to be reckoned with. To his left and right, Kallen and Naomi piloted their own Apaches, equally armed and ready for the mission ahead.
"Everything is set. We've got the high ground. Let's make it count," Kallen said, her voice carrying a sense of determination.
Naomi nodded through the comms. "I've got eyes on the convoy of enemy tanks. We'll need to prioritize the air-to-surface Hellfires to break them down."
Below, Ayame, Ichijiku, Mutsuki, and Kagari flew in their Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, each armed with a 20mm M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon, two AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, 38 Hydra 70 unguided rockets, and 8 AGM-114K Hellfire II missiles. Their role was to provide close air support and take out the ground forces, while Lelouch, Kallen, and Naomi targeted the heavier vehicles and aerial threats.
From the Command Room, Nunnally, Marrybell, Guinevere, Cornelia, and Anya Alstreim watched the test unfold. Marianne, observing through Anya's eyes, studied the battlefield with a calm, focused intensity. They knew that the AI controlling the enemy forces was using data from real-life combat zones, meaning the enemy was operating with the same weapons and tactics as the M.E.F.. It was a brutal and unforgiving test. The wreckage of ten AH-1W SuperCobras littered the battlefield, a stark reminder of how dangerous this simulation could be.
The enemy forces had deployed BM-21-1 and BM-30 Smerch Multiple rocket launchers, 2S19M2 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, G6 M1A3 self-propelled artillery, T-62 and T-72M main battle tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-60PB and BTR-80A armored personnel carriers, and the dreaded BMPT Terminators—fire support combat vehicles doubling as AA platforms, perfect for taking down helicopters like the ones Lelouch and his group were piloting.
"Focus on the Terminators," Lelouch said, his voice calm but filled with urgency. "Those things are built to swat us out of the sky."
He swung the Apache around, bringing his Hellfire missiles to bear on a group of BMPTs moving to flank allied ground forces. The lock-on was immediate, and with a push of the trigger, the missile streaked toward its target, turning the Terminator into a fireball.
"Direct hit!" Naomi called out, taking down another BMPT with her own missile.
Just as they gained the upper hand, Lelouch's comm link crackled with Cornelia's voice. There was a sharpness in her tone that Lelouch recognized instantly. Something had gone wrong.
"Lelouch, the simulation's taking a turn. The commander of the allied forces has been killed in a rocket barrage from the BM-30 Smerch. The body was just found. You're in charge now."
The words hit Lelouch hard, but he didn't have time to dwell on them. He had trained for this—he knew what he had to do.
"I understand," Lelouch responded, his voice resolute. "I'll take command of the allied forces."
The allied AI forces, now under his command, consisted of a variety of military assets: Britannian Armored Divisions, Oshkosh M-ATVs, M2A3 Bradley IFVs, M1A2 SEPv2 Main Battle Tanks, M109A6 "Paladin" Howitzers, and 5 RPI-11 Glasgow Knightmare Frames. The enemy might have been fierce, but Lelouch had the knowledge and the tools to counter them.
He switched his focus to the ground units, directing the Bradley IFVs and Paladin Howitzers to create a defensive line, while the M1A2 tanks pushed forward to engage the enemy armor head-on.
"Kallen, Naomi, focus on suppressing the rocket artillery. Those BM-30 Smerches are priority targets," Lelouch ordered as he moved his Apache into position to provide cover for the allied tanks.
"You got it," Kallen responded, firing a barrage of APKWS guided rockets that streaked through the sky, reducing an enemy artillery position to rubble.
"We're on it," Naomi added, already engaging another BM-30. Her Apache dove low to avoid enemy AA fire, releasing Hellfire missiles that obliterated the remaining launchers.
Lelouch's mind was working overtime. He remembered the lessons from ground vehicle tactics during training. It wasn't just about overwhelming the enemy with firepower; it was about positioning, using terrain, and forcing the enemy into disadvantageous positions.
"Bradleys, take the high ground to the east. Paladins, maintain suppressive fire. Don't let them regroup," Lelouch commanded, his voice steady and clear.
On the battlefield, the RPI-11 Glasgow Knightmare Frames charged forward, using their mobility to flank the M.E.F.'s armored units. The combined effort of air and ground forces was devastating to the enemy, and slowly but surely, the tide of battle turned in their favor.
But the enemy was relentless. More BMPT Terminators arrived, attempting to cut through Lelouch's air support. One Hellfire missile after another rained down on them, but Lelouch knew the battle wasn't over yet.
"They're sending more BMPs toward our eastern flank," Ayame reported, her Viper skimming the ground as she fired another volley of rockets.
"Ichijiku, Mutsuki, Kagari, cover the Bradleys. Keep that flank secure," Lelouch ordered.
"Roger that!" Kagari responded, her Viper weaving through enemy fire as she unleashed a devastating barrage on the advancing enemy vehicles.
As the allied forces tightened their grip, Lelouch knew they had the upper hand. The enemy's tactics, while aggressive, had been predictable, and the AI forces under his command were executing perfectly. He guided them like a master strategist, countering every move the M.E.F. forces made.
In the Command Room, Nunnally, Marrybell, Guinevere, and the others watched with bated breath. Cornelia observed her brother's leadership with a look of pride and determination, while Marianne, through Anya's eyes, smiled slightly.
"He's using everything he's learned," Cornelia remarked, her tone soft but filled with admiration.
Nunnally, sitting beside her, nodded, her eyes glued to the screen. "He always does."
Back on the battlefield, the final push was underway. Lelouch guided his Apache into position for the last assault, targeting the remaining enemy tanks with precision. The M1A2 SEPv2s were moving in to mop up the remnants of the enemy armor, while the Bradleys provided cover for the infantry advancing on foot.
"Finish them off," Lelouch said, a calm sense of victory in his voice.
The combined firepower of the allied forces was overwhelming, and in a matter of moments, the last of the enemy units fell.
"Test complete," the voice of the instructor echoed through the comms, signaling the end of the exercise.
Lelouch exhaled slowly, feeling the tension release from his body. The battlefield fell silent, and the simulation faded, leaving behind only the knowledge that they had succeeded.
"You handled that well, Lelouch," Kallen said, her voice warm with pride.
Naomi chimed in with a laugh. "Looks like you've got a future as a commander."
Lelouch smiled, the adrenaline of the battle still coursing through him. "It's not just me. We all played our parts."
As they left the simulation pods and returned to the real world, Lelouch knew that this was only a taste of what was to come. The real battles were still ahead of them, but today, they had proven they were ready to face them—together.
After the test
The atmosphere in the large simulation room was thick with tension and anticipation as the recruits began to exit their VR pods. The massive test they had just completed was still fresh in their minds. Their bodies buzzed with the aftereffects of simulated combat. They had fought hard, and Lelouch had taken command in a situation that was supposed to be simple—only to see the simulation turn unexpectedly into something more serious.
As Lelouch and his group, including Kallen, Naomi, Ayame, Ichijiku, Mutsuki, and Kagari, stood together, waiting for the next set of instructions, Cornelia stepped forward. Her expression was calm, but her eyes carried a sharpness that none of the recruits could miss.
"Recruits," Cornelia began, her voice carrying authority, "what you just experienced was no ordinary training simulation. Midway through the exercise, the AI adapted the scenario to replicate a situation that occurs in real combat—an unexpected loss of command. As you all saw, the allied AI commander was taken out early in the test. From that point, the system assigned leadership to Lelouch."
There were murmurs among the recruits. Some of them hadn't realized how much control Lelouch had taken during the latter part of the simulation, but it made sense. His calm, precise orders, the way he had directed both the ground forces and the air support—it was unmistakable. He had been acting as the true commander of the operation.
Cornelia continued, her tone becoming even more serious. "This type of change is something that can—and does—happen in real combat scenarios. Commanders can fall, and when they do, someone must take charge. Today, Lelouch vi Britannia demonstrated the ability to lead under pressure, to make decisive tactical choices that ensured victory."
Lelouch stood quietly, absorbing her words. He had felt the weight of command, the responsibility of ensuring his comrades' survival and the success of the mission. It had been intense, but also… fulfilling. He had proven, not just to others but to himself, that he could handle the demands of leadership.
As the room fell into a heavy silence, General Dalton, who had been watching the simulation from the control room, stepped forward. His presence commanded attention, and all eyes turned to him.
"Recruits," General Dalton began, his deep voice resonating through the room, "I've reviewed the performance of this exercise closely. What we've witnessed today is a demonstration of exceptional skill, not just in individual performance but in leadership and tactical command."
He paused, his gaze focusing squarely on Lelouch. "Lelouch vi Britannia, step forward."
Lelouch, always calm and composed, did as instructed. He walked forward to stand in front of General Dalton, his heart steady but his mind racing with anticipation. Whatever was about to happen, he could sense its importance.
General Dalton looked him over for a moment before continuing, "After careful consideration, it is our recommendation that you, Lelouch, be promoted ahead of schedule. Your performance today has demonstrated that you are capable of commanding in real-world combat scenarios, and for that reason, you are being assigned to a specialized command training program."
The room buzzed with quiet surprise. Lelouch's group exchanged glances, proud but not entirely surprised by the announcement. They knew what Lelouch was capable of. Kallen gave him a small smile, knowing this was just the beginning of something much bigger.
General Dalton wasn't finished. "This program will prepare you for leadership roles beyond what is standard for a recruit at this stage. We believe your tactical mind, strategic thinking, and calm under pressure make you an ideal candidate. This is no small achievement, Lelouch, and I expect you to continue proving yourself."
Lelouch nodded, his voice steady as he responded. "Thank you, General. I won't let you down."
Dalton's attention then turned to the rest of Lelouch's squad. "As for the rest of you—Kallen, Naomi, Ayame, Ichijiku, Mutsuki, Kagari—your roles in this mission were equally important. Each of you demonstrated exceptional skill in your fields, and it is because of that teamwork that the mission succeeded. You will all continue in your specialized tracks, honing the skills that made this team effective."
There was a sense of pride radiating from the group. They had worked hard, pushed themselves to the limit, and it had paid off.
Dalton's tone softened slightly. "The battlefield is no place for hesitation, and all of you have shown that you can act decisively when it matters most. You have a long road ahead, but if you continue as you have, I have no doubt that each of you will serve the Empire with distinction."
With that, General Dalton gave a sharp nod, signaling the end of his speech. The recruits stood in stunned silence for a moment, absorbing the weight of what had just happened.
Lelouch turned to look at his squad, a rare but genuine smile touching his lips. "Looks like we're all moving forward together."
Kallen stepped up beside him, her usual confident smirk in place. "Always knew you were going places, Lelouch. Guess this just proves it."
Naomi grinned. "Don't let it go to your head. We're all going to be right there with you."
The others nodded in agreement, and Lelouch felt a deep sense of pride in the team that had formed around him. They were not just comrades—they were his allies, his friends, and in many ways, his family.
Cornelia, watching from the side, allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. She had always known Lelouch was special, that he had the potential to rise above the others. But seeing it unfold in real time, knowing that he was now on the path to true leadership, filled her with a fierce pride.
The recruits began to disperse, but Lelouch's mind was already moving ahead. The specialized command training program would be the next challenge, and he welcomed it. He wasn't just a recruit anymore—he was a leader. And with that responsibility came the promise of the future he was determined to shape.
As the day came to an end, Lelouch stood silently for a moment, reflecting on how far he had come. The weight of command was real, but so was the power to change the world.
And Lelouch vi Britannia was ready to take that power into his hands.